Papillon Kisses

An amnesty on registration, chipping and desexing sounds good on paper, but I'd be worried about them using the information against me and my dog if I had a breed or type of dog that could be determined to be "menacing" on no other basis than appearance. "Menacing" seems to mean whatever anyone wants it to mean in this instance. I'd like to see a public awareness campaign about responsible dog ownership, how to read dog body language, and how to interact safely with dogs. Something like this: http://stopthe77.com (lots of good videos on that site). The nanny dog myth needs to die, too.

I can't help you on the lung worm front, but as an dog-owning organic veggie gardener I can help you with the snails. :) As mentioned above, a hidden beer trap may be your best bet, but do hide it away from prying puppy paws – you don't want him drinking beer! Remember to check the trap regularly to get rid of snails and slugs which have died in merriment. Here's one example: http://www.bunnings.com.au/on-guard-snail-trap-2-pack_p3010313: Another option is an iron-based snail and slug killer called Multiguard. The manufacturer says it's is safer for pets and wildlife so long as you follow the packet instructions (see the PDF below) which is basically just about making sure the dog doesn't consume large quantities. My dog isn't at all interested in it and he's a guts, but he's also not a Labrador puppy! :D http://www.multicrop.com.au/home-garden-products/multiguard-snail-and-slug-killer.php Info sheet, must read if using: http://www.multicrop.com.au/pdfs/Multiguard---information-sheet.pdf Another solution is to do things to encourage birds and lizards into your garden that will eat the snails and slugs, but that's a more longterm approach. :)

Perhaps try a calendula tea soak/rinse while you/the vet investigate the cause. It can help them feel better. http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/254792-o-m-g-calendula-tea-rinse/

LOL! :laugh: Love what you're doing. Startle/recovery response is SO important.

Ah ok. It's kind of obvious now having flicked over to full version where signatures/profiles pics show up, but I was checking whether Nova was an elderly dog. They feel the cold more keenly. Clearly the opposite though!

How old is Nova?

The national park thing might have to do with native fauna and flora. I'm not necessarily talking about people not picking up after their dogs or allowing their dogs to attack wildlife. More about the scent of dogs and their urine stopping animals from living/procreating in areas frequented by dogs. It's just something I've heard. Snap: ohsoswift replied first. ;)

From the article: Rubbish. My dog does not care whether he's wearing his sailor suit, his fancy shirt and bow tie number, or his muck around cotton jersey. It makes zero difference to him. All he cares about is whether it's comfortable (yes), restricts his movement (no), and keeps him warm when he wants/needs an extra layer (yes). He's small and he feels the cold and no one's laughing at him. They're telling him he's adorable in happy voices and giving him affection, all of which he thinks is good. We've all seen videos of people putting clothes on their dog and the dog freaks out and they think it's funny that their dog is frozen in fear. It isn't funny. Perhaps that's what they're talking about but to dismiss putting clothing on a dog across the board is silly. Know how to read your dog and adjust the clothing to suit his/her comfort and the weather. Malcolm also has a ridiculously cute reindeer outfit. He didn't wear it at all last Christmas as it was too hot.

It could be something like bringing home a special type of food that you only have on those Friday night dinners, or doing more or a different type of cleaning on Thursday or Friday in preparation, way before you start setting the table. You can use a process called counter conditioning to change Elliot's emotional response to beard washing. In case you're not familiar with it, counter conditioning is pairing a bad thing like beard washing with a good thing — say a highly valued treat or toy — that your dog gets EVERY time that the bad thing happens, and ONLY when the bad thing happens. In this way, the bad thing becomes a reliable predictor of that very good thing happening, and how they feel about it changes. I've done this with my dog for many things, but a good example is having his teeth brushed. Malcolm doesn't like having his teeth brushed and he'd previously fight it, and he now not only accepts it but actually gets very excited about having it done, because he knows that afterwards he'll get his super exciting dental treat then get to go upstairs for for bedtime cuddles. This bedtime routine is now a highlight of his day. One obviously can't give a dog treats while brushing their teeth, but with Elliot you can throw him some treats while you're getting your supplies ready for beard washing, feed them to him while it's happening, then follow it up with more treats and lots of praise afterwards. Hope this helps!

Sometimes I suspect an inbuilt calendar, but who's to say! :laugh: There's probably little signals that aren't obvious to you or which go back much further than you realise. Dogs can be incredibly good at back-chaining aversive events.

I'm so happy to hear the good news Mumsie! And I second the request for a picture. :D

One thing I noticed was that when outside, the visitors were kind of all over the place which could have made it more stressful since she had multiple areas to look at and get worried about. At one stage your dad was also peering into the windows of the other building which is unusual behaviour that could make her more suspicious. People are people and you can't control them, but perhaps one way to tackle visitors in the yard (figuratively ;) ) would be to have everyone in the one area sitting down quietly chatting, with Thistle able to choose how close she wanted to be to the group. Obviously this visit was a bit different to most, but it can also help to gradually add one person at a time then slowly widen the circle of trusted humans until confidence around strangers is generalised. We did this with Malcolm, who was originally very fear reactive with all men — no man could enter the house, talk, move or basically exist without deafening barking and lunging alternated with hiding under furniture. We first desensitised/counter conditioned Malcolm with my dad, then my now-husband, then a couple of close family friends... a new person was ONLY introduced when he was comfortable with he previous additions... until many months later we happened to essentially have a parade of different types of men of all ages and appearances. Most he already knew from previous visits but there were some strangers, and Malcolm was absolutely fine. These days he's only fear reactive with men when they startle him by thrusting their hand over his head to pat him when he hasn't registered their existence. He also recovers from that pretty quickly. We did it a bit differently to you in that we had a container of treats set up at the front door. Whenever any man entered he had to to pick some up and put it right under Malcolm's nose right as he came to them, then they'd calmly say "hello Malcolm" before moving on, not dwelling or forcing interaction. Having the food immediately presented like kind of short circuited Malcolm's response before the fear center in his brain kicked in. By the way, that parade of men culminated in Malcolm selecting the scariest looking man in the room to jump up on for cuddles. A big burly tattooed man whose appearance would have previously terrified him. I may have shed a tear at that point. You can do this!! ETA: not saying this way's better, just sharing. :)

Perhaps instead of waving the flirt pole in the air you could have it whooshing along the floor kind of like vermin. I'd be inclined to switch to eating her food out of any sort of enrichment toy so she has to work for her food. BCs in particular need that mental stimulation, and it could well will tire her out more than just adding in more exercise. It also gives her something to do when you're out. My dog so far hasn't been interesting in food dispensing toys like the Kong, for some strange reason he's very wary of them and I think they also frustrate him because he wants the food but can't get to it because of his aversion. There are thankfully other options when it comes to food enrichment type toys and feeders. - Snuffle mats, where they have to forage for food in the mat. There's a lady in Tassie who makes the most gorgeous mats (look up Snuffle Mats Australia on Facebook) or you can make one yourself as I'm doing (Google for instructions) - Slow feeder bowls, e.g. ones by Outward Hound and Kyjen. There's also the Buster DogMaze. - The more interactive toys from Nina Ottoson, Kyjen and Trixie. Here's a site that has a whole stack of different options. If you email the owner and tell her about your dog, she'll make some recommendations. http://www.petsneedalifetoo.com/ (I have no connection with this person, she just helped me out too :) ) I think your girl needs to have her confidence build up especially after moving to a new home. Perhaps she does like some toys but is feeling too unsettled to play with them yet. I'd suggest starting easy and try not to have too much expectation... I think dogs pick up on that and find it stressful, a sort of performance anxiety. In terms of other toys, maybe see if she likes soft toys that don't have squeakers or at least easy-to-deploy squeakers, in case she has a noise sensitivity. You could also ask her breeder if she has any favourite toys or games she used to play with the other dogs she lived with. I also saw your post in the BC thread and I think your girl might benefit from using an Adaptil collar or plug-in while she settles.

I got a voucher from Petbarn which gave me a free pack of Wellness Complete Diet for toy breeds with no purchase necessary, though again it did expire in about 2 weeks from collecting it. I'm still feeding it to my boy though as it seems to be fine? Interestingly he now doesn't want to eat his other kibble unless super hungry!

Ah, I thought that might be the case. Thats great on the sleep front though. :)

Hey Snook, is Justice conditioned to accept a basket muzzle? If so, could that be used instead of the cone? I've often wondered about the suitability of muzzles as a cone-of-shame alternative. Here's how one person did it: http://traumataj.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/analysis-of-dreaded-anti-licking.html?m=1 Sending safe non-wound-opening pats to your handsome boy... and best wishes for a cabin feverless experience for you. It's hard to see them in pain.

Greenies have an evidence base behind them. http://www.ava.com.au/sites/default/files/AVA_website/pdfs/NSW_Division/Dental%20Homecare.pdf

How could you not tickle all four puppy feet?! :D

That's fascinating. Do you know if this usual for ACDs? It sounds like it could be a natural adaptation for Australian conditions back when tick preventatives did not exist.

You are amazing Starkehre. Seriously in awe.

Great post Powerlegs. :)

Our VB said to stay the course with the med dose and put the toy away for now, as (a) we're still trying to keep things low-stress and (b) counter conditioning/desensitisation would probably take too long until the medication is fully working. The box approach sounds awesome though! CC/DS combined with an approach that encourages experimentation and taking risks sounds like just what he needs. I'll try that in the future.

As suggested above, I really think that changing when (and possibly what) you feed him will help, especially if he gets fed at night or has food available to him all day. Unless this is an incontinence issue, in which case see your vet, promoting good habits should help. Take him out last thing at night and again first thing in the morning, like you would if toilet training a puppy. Make it a habit to go out even if he doesn't always need to eliminate. You could also take him outside the house for a little potter if different smells help trigger elimination. You could try positively reinforcing this, though be aware that it may backfire. We were having this problem and our dog decided that just going out at nighttime = get a treat (vs get a treat if you go out before bed). He started waking us up multiple times during the night to be let out when he didn't actually need to go, he just wanted to be let out so he could come back inside and be rewarded. It's funny now but it was exhausting at the time. He's back to sleeping through again after we removed the treats but kept up the new routine. :)

Howdy! I'm so very happy to hear the surgery went well, Snook, but oh dear Justice, you're going to become quite the satellite dish if you keep that up! And Thistle, very well done on the calm door greetings. That is huge! I seem to remember Thistle shutting down just a few short weeks ago when an unexpected visitor came? I've been emailing our VB re. Malcolm's medication. The good news is that, for now, his GP vet isn't concerned that his Addison's is worsening so we're holding off on getting bloods done and seeing what the VB says. There's an overlap in symptoms of an Addisonian crisis and the side effects of Prozac, which has been worrying me the most. That and I have a lived experience of being given a toxic dose of medication and being unable to communicate due to it messing with my brain, so I'm a bit sensitive. Mal's order came in from Gillian. He took to his kyrjen slo-bowl after some encouragement, but is scared of his busy buddy barnacle (food dispenser toy). Poor thing was violently shaking and giving it a wide berth when I first put it on the floor. He's still wary, but is giving it the occasional sniff and eating food near it. I'm not going to push it, it's just kinda sad seeing a dog freaked out by anything new/odd in his environment. Anyone else have a dog who gets scared of toys?

This sounds like a great way to build up the confidence of an anxious dog and have some fun. Some dogs, mine included, can't go to regular obedience/agility training classes as they are way too over-stimulating.